About the Author

Chris Connaughton trained as an actor and has worked in all sorts of theatres and arts centres up and down the country.  He has performed as Hamlet, Romeo and Macbeth, as well as Widow Twanky, the Mad Hatter and Mr Spoon on Button Moon! His television credits include Byker Grove, The Tide of Life, The Man Who Cried, Tales from the Piano, Call Red, Throwaways and Harry.

For the last 17 years, Chris has been an associate artist, writer and performer with Theatre Hullabaloo (formerly CTC), one of the country’s leading practitioners in theatre for young audiences and recipient of the Barclays TMA Award for the Best Show for Children in England (2000).

In 1997 Chris set up Intext Performance to write and produce stories and plays for children and is now celebrating 12 years of storytelling, Theatre-in-Education projects and drama events. He has made over 1,500 school visits to a total audience of more than 175,000 children, teachers and parents.

In addition to performing  throughout the UK, Chris has also toured to children’s theatre and arts festivals in France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Russia, Japan and South Korea. He has written (and co-written with Paul Harman) more than 15 stories and 6 plays.

Chris published his first novel, ‘The Beltheron Pathway’ in 2008 and has just released the sequel, ‘The Beltheron Select’.

Performances

A variety of traditional stories involving repeated phrases, poetry and audience participation, ideal for Y1 - Y4.

(Shorter versions, with simpler language, are available for Foundation Stage.)

These stories also include themes and ideas which link to a variety of curriculum areas and are useful as a support with literacy, speaking and listening, PSHE and SEAL initiatives.

Workshops

Performances and linked literacy packages aimed at Y4 – Y6. These are based on stories by Charles Dickens, novels such as Alice in Wonderland and Robinson Crusoe, and cover a number of subject areas. Adjective work, poetry, word games, writing with a purpose, persuasive writing, and hotseating characters with the actor in role are all popular activities in these visits. The workshops are designed to last a full school day, but can be tailored to suit your requirements and can be booked alongside other story sessions for other parts of the school.

 

 

INSET

The sessions focus on using storytelling in the wider curriculum, presentation skills, and developing literacy ideas through drama. These workshops for teachers are available as INSET days, or as a twilight session after a school visit. They last between 90 minutes and 2 hours, depending on your requirements. The cost for a daytime INSET is £20 per person (min £200) and the cost for a twilight session is £15 per person (Min £150). Book in collaboration with another nearby school and reduce the cost.

 

Timetable

A full day typically includes three or four sessions. Depending on your school timetable approximate timings could be: 9.30 – 10.30, 10.45 – 11.45, 13.00 – 14.00 and 14.15 – 15.15.

A half day usually includes two sessions (9.30 - 10.30, 10.45 – 11.45).

However I do try to fill the day as much as I can for you, and often manage to spend 20 minutes or so with Foundation stage at the beginning of the day, as well as making extra visits to classes to set up writing or art activities afterwards.

Literacy workshops packages include follow up work in the classrooms, and these are usually very flexible, again depending upon your individual requirements.

 

  

 

Testimonials

 

'The best stories ever!'

Ringwood Junior School, Hants.

“A must have!”

George Heriot’s School, Edinburgh.

"Your story was excellent. I will never forget it!"  

Breamore School, near Fordingbridge.

“A wonderful day”

Millfield Preparatory School, Glastonbury.

'Enchanting.'

Sunninghill Preparatory School, Dorchester.

'Please come and perform for us again soon.'

The Blue School, Isleworth.

'The story was captivating.'

Parent at public performance, Northampton.

 
'The whole afternoon was brilliant, very enjoyable and worthwhile' Heighington Primary School.

'Enhances our creative curriculum'

St.Clare's R.C Primary, Tyne and Wear.

'Chris is a great actor. He has an excellent rapport with the children. He had them engrossed from beginning to end.'

Saint Augustine's Primary School, Darlington.

‘Getting Y6 motivated at this time of year is extremely difficult and the work has now lasted all week! Once again a thousand thanks.’

Grangetown Primary School, Redcar.

'We have never had a poor performance from Chris. Inventive, thought provoking and spellbinding,'

Grange Primary School, Hartlepool.

 'Our experiences with the company have always been worthwhile - both educationally and creatively - thanks!'

North Road Primary, Darlington.

"My children love Shakespeare! We've worked with a fantastic actor, Chris Connaughton, for the last few years, who literally brings Hamlet to life!
We act, we read and we write - they are inspired and some of them are already reading Shakespeare for themselves and encouraging parents to read some of his plays! They particularly enjoyed writing their own version of the fencing scene between Hamlet and Ophelia - then performing! In addition to this they proved to be moving poets - writing love poems from Hamlet to Ophelia!
Chris has inspired some fabulous work!"

Jayne Tuczemskyi, Kirkby Avenue Primary, Doncaster

 

Publications

Chris has written two fantasy adventure novels

‘The Beltheron Pathway’

and

‘The Beltheron Select’

 for 9 year olds and upwards.  He offers dramatised readings, Q and A sessions and writing workshops based on the books. He will bring a complimentary copy for the school library and also sign copies at the end of the day.

 

Booking Information

Home:	Hampshire
Travels to:	UK
Prices:	Full day £340 + VAT Half day £240 + VAT Prices inclusive expenses. However reasonable travelling expenses may be added if the total return journey is over 300 miles or if an overnight stay is required. Please enquire further when booking.

Publications by the Author